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About me

About me: Hello! My name is Giovana and I am fourth year medical student. I have completed my pre-clinical studies at the University of Cambridge and now I am at my clinical years at the University of Edinburgh. I have always been fascinated in the understanding of how the human body and brain works. I have chosen Medicine as it is the means by which scientific advances are applied to improve people's physical and mental health and ultimately quality of life. The sessions: Aims: I aim to pass on my enthusiasm about science and help you develop a solid understanding of the concepts behind it. I hope to assist you in establishing problem-solving skills that will be valuable to you throughout your studies. At the same time, we will focus on key aspects of the syllabus and practice exam skills to help you achieve your goals. Structure: The structure and content of the tutorials will be tailored to your own needs. The teaching style will be guided by what you feel works best for you. I will try to approach your questions from different perspectives using different methods such as diagrams, mnemonics or examples, so that you feel confident with what we cover. What I can help with: I am comfortable with tutoring GCSE and A-level Human Biology. Having done an intercalated degree in Psychology, I can also help with Psychology GCSE and A-level. Also, I am happy to help with medical school interview preparation, such as helping you structuring answers to common interview questions or having a mock interview to help you practice. How to contact me: Don't hesitate to send me a 'Web mail' if you have any further questions or book a free 'Meet the tutor session'. Don't forget to tell me your exam board and what are you struggling with so that we can make the most out of our session. I look forward to hearing from you! :) About me: Hello! My name is Giovana and I am fourth year medical student. I have completed my pre-clinical studies at the University of Cambridge and now I am at my clinical years at the University of Edinburgh. I have always been fascinated in the understanding of how the human body and brain works. I have chosen Medicine as it is the means by which scientific advances are applied to improve people's physical and mental health and ultimately quality of life. The sessions: Aims: I aim to pass on my enthusiasm about science and help you develop a solid understanding of the concepts behind it. I hope to assist you in establishing problem-solving skills that will be valuable to you throughout your studies. At the same time, we will focus on key aspects of the syllabus and practice exam skills to help you achieve your goals. Structure: The structure and content of the tutorials will be tailored to your own needs. The teaching style will be guided by what you feel works best for you. I will try to approach your questions from different perspectives using different methods such as diagrams, mnemonics or examples, so that you feel confident with what we cover. What I can help with: I am comfortable with tutoring GCSE and A-level Human Biology. Having done an intercalated degree in Psychology, I can also help with Psychology GCSE and A-level. Also, I am happy to help with medical school interview preparation, such as helping you structuring answers to common interview questions or having a mock interview to help you practice. How to contact me: Don't hesitate to send me a 'Web mail' if you have any further questions or book a free 'Meet the tutor session'. Don't forget to tell me your exam board and what are you struggling with so that we can make the most out of our session. I look forward to hearing from you! :)

In order to be able to survive we need to keep some important variables close to a set point. This is vital as we live in an external environment that is very unpredictable and variable. Thse external changes can pose a threat to our survival.

Example I: consider the effect of a temperature change on enzyme function. Enzymes function best at an optimum temperature. If the temperature is above optimum they denature i.e. lose their structure and the ability to catalyse essential chemical reactions. For instance, what will happen if an enzyme needed for ATP production denatures? The cell will be unable to produce enough energy to meet its demands and this will eventually lead to cell death.

EXAMPLE II: Glucose levels need to be tightly controlled as it is substrate for cell respiration. If the glucose levels are too low as in hypoglycaemia, there is insufficient glucose delivered to the brain so brain cells cannot meet their energy demands. This can lead to confusion, loss of consciousness or even death. On the other hand, in diabetes where blood glucose levels are too high for long periods of time, there is damage to structures such as blood vessels and nerves.

So how do we achieve homeostasis?

Since maintaining important variables close to a set point is vital for our survival we have evolved ways to RESIST DEVIATIONS IN THE SET POINT.

We have control systems that enable us to do that. The components of a control systems include:

1) RECEPTORS:

-First step: we need to DETECT the deviation in the set point of a variable (e.g. temperature). In other words we need to know that a change in the variable value has taken place. This is the role of our receptors which are activated and send an input signal to the controller.

2) CONTROLLER:

- Second step: we need to PROCESS the input signal and DECIDE what we need to do to correct the change in the set point. An example of a control centre is the hypothalamus.

3) EFFECTORS

-Third step: we need to MAKE THE CORRECTIVE CHANGES to bring the variable value back to the SET POINT. This is the job of the effectors: structures that receive commands from the controller.

Firstly, we need to consider what the term Homeostasis means:

Homeostasis is defined as the maintenance of a stable internal environment.

In order to be able to survive we need to keep some important variables close to a set point. This is vital as we live in an external environment that is very unpredictable and variable. Thse external changes can pose a threat to our survival.

Example I: consider the effect of a temperature change on enzyme function. Enzymes function best at an optimum temperature. If the temperature is above optimum they denature i.e. lose their structure and the ability to catalyse essential chemical reactions. For instance, what will happen if an enzyme needed for ATP production denatures? The cell will be unable to produce enough energy to meet its demands and this will eventually lead to cell death.

EXAMPLE II: Glucose levels need to be tightly controlled as it is substrate for cell respiration. If the glucose levels are too low as in hypoglycaemia, there is insufficient glucose delivered to the brain so brain cells cannot meet their energy demands. This can lead to confusion, loss of consciousness or even death. On the other hand, in diabetes where blood glucose levels are too high for long periods of time, there is damage to structures such as blood vessels and nerves.

So how do we achieve homeostasis?

Since maintaining important variables close to a set point is vital for our survival we have evolved ways to RESIST DEVIATIONS IN THE SET POINT.

We have control systems that enable us to do that. The components of a control systems include:

1) RECEPTORS:

-First step: we need to DETECT the deviation in the set point of a variable (e.g. temperature). In other words we need to know that a change in the variable value has taken place. This is the role of our receptors which are activated and send an input signal to the controller.

2) CONTROLLER:

- Second step: we need to PROCESS the input signal and DECIDE what we need to do to correct the change in the set point. An example of a control centre is the hypothalamus.

3) EFFECTORS

-Third step: we need to MAKE THE CORRECTIVE CHANGES to bring the variable value back to the SET POINT. This is the job of the effectors: structures that receive commands from the controller.

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